To our valued patients,
New York State has not yet supplied our office with a COVID-19 vaccine. Beginning February 15, individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage all who are eligible to receive the vaccine at a state operated vaccination site or a pharmacy such as CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc. In an effort to decrease the understandably high volume of vaccine related calls to the office, we have listed below the comorbidities and underlying conditions in Adults over the age of 16 that NYS has deemed eligible to receive the Covid-19 Vaccine starting February 15th.
- Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11-related cancers);
- Chronic kidney disease
- Pulmonary Disease, including but not limited to, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate-to-severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11 related pulmonary diseases;
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities including Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, or hypertension (high blood pressure);
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) including but not limited to solid organ transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, use of other immune weakening medicines, or other causes;
- Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2), Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2);
- Pregnancy;
- Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia;
- Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus;
- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain);
- Neurologic conditions, including but not limited to Alzheimer's Disease or dementia; and
- Liver disease
If after reading this you still have questions regarding eligibility, we encourage you to visit the NYS Department of Health website to determine eligibility. https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
If you still have vaccine related questions after reading the above or after contacting a pharmacy, then please call our office at (845) 298-7022 to schedule a televisit with a provider.
As a reminder, COVID-19 vaccine distribution is currently being managed by New York State. Additionally, Dutchess County Government has established initial Point of Dispensing (POD) locations throughout the county to vaccinate eligible individuals by appointment only. Eligible residents should anticipate it may be several weeks before they can get an appointment. New York State's COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829) open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm, 7 days a week is available to schedule appointments for eligible individuals.
While vaccines are being distributed, please remain vigilant. Be sure you continue to wear masks, maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from others, avoid large gatherings, and practice good hygiene with washing hands and sneezing or coughing into your elbow.
Sincerely, The Providers and Staff at Hudson Valley Primary Care
